Thanks for introducing this brooch altezana Mompox, which I call the Australian RSL opal brooch. In 1947 when the idea of presenting an opal brooch to the then Princess Elizabeth was initially suggested, the organisation was officially named the Returned Sailors' Soldiers' and Airmen's Imperial League; however, even in 1947 it was commonly referred to as the RSL, which is how it is referred to today. I thought I should explain this, as some might get confused by the term RSL in some of the press cuttings from 1947.

The concept of the RSL giving the then Princess an opal brooch initially started as a proposed 21st birthday gift.

This was rejected by a number of branches of the organisation, as some thought it more appropriate to send food for consumption in the UK. For example see --

Newcastle Morning Herald 26 May 1947


Daily Examiner 2 June 1947


Eventually, after QEII's engagement was announced on 9 July 1947 the proposed brooch became a wedding gift, was made, and sent to London.

Maclay Argus 3 January 1948


In reply QEII wrote -

Advertiser 11 February 1948


Yet, despite this, as far as I know, QEII was not seen to wear the brooch in public until her visit to Australia in 2000.

On 27 March 2000 HM visited Parliament House, Canberra and the Australian War Memorial, Canberra to lay a tribute wreath. Choosing the RSL opal brooch for this occasion was symbolic.

27 March 2000




Most commentators seem to believe that the opals are all black opals.

But, apart from the colours, I think there are some clues in a description which the RSL provided to Gill W, which she has posted on various forums. See https://members2.boardhost.com/royal-jewels/msg/archive/1395437799.html and also please scroll down to see her comment here http://queensjewelvault.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-multi-color-opal-spray-brooch.html which suggests there are a variety of Australian opals in the brooch, especially the comment that --

" the blossoms are formed by rare gems from the various opal fields of Australia, the number being representative of the Governmental states of the Commonwealth "

The comment clearly states that the opals have come from "various opal fields". To my way of thinking that means there are other opals apart from black opals in the brooch.




Like most opals this gemstones in this brooch show different colours under different conditions.

For just one example the images below come from the same occasion.